worldtraveller99

PS Because many people think COVID has been and gone, or are following no-jab Novak D.

When will the COVID card stop being valid? Our NHS pass has a QR code which expires at the end of April. I probably will see if I can print a new one out this summer, with a later date on it, but I am not sure if we in the UK (under 70) will ever be offered another COVID jab?

We have only had one ocean cruise so far (and 3 brilliant river cruises - far friendlier and more fun, especially with Tauck). It was on the Silver Muse to Alaska last summer. Our butler was mostly totally absent. He didn't escort us to our cabin - we were directed to find it ourselves. He didn't offer to unpack, just popped in after we had done this. I asked him to swap out some of the drinks in the minibar which we didn't want for drinks we did. A day later only half of those drinks had turned up. I paged him - 0. I paged him again - he finally brought us the rest of the drinks I had requested. He did then keep those replaced when finished. The only time we physically saw him again was by chance on a staircase. I asked him to check something for me while we went to use the laundry - he said "Oh you have to ask reception for that". So a dead loss. Maybe he knows the English aren't going to tip over and above the included gratuities, so he saves himself for his American clients?

Hope you have a great time les37b! Please will you write a review / thread because I am also very interested in how cruising in Japan is now? Maybe for the future!

What a lovely idea! Though too much Dramamine to consume for me!

It was all lovely, thank you for the topic notamermaid. I wish you a Happy New Year, and great cruising in 2023.

Have a lovely time Roz!

No it was all a bit random as to which of the 3 coaches you sat on to reach the towns as to which guide you walked with. But all the guides were fluent in English and very interesting. I think Tauck say in their brochure that you do need to be able to navigate cobbled streets to do a German river cruise with them. We had a couple of slower walkers, but the guide checked they had caught us up at each street corner before moving on.

Have done Jazzbeau - can you see it?

This was an excellent river cruise on the MS Inspire. We started in Dusseldorf. The previous night the ship had been in an industrial area miles out, so I was expecting to pay for taxis, but on the day they had moved to a berth right in the heart of the old town. Here and in Cologne (where the towns are actually on the Rhine) Tauck had the prime spot to walk into town from. Unfortunately the weather at the end of November was cold and raining nearly every day. But we still had lovely days in Dusseldorf, Cologne, Rudesheim, Heidelberg, Baden-Baden, Strasbourg and Lucerne. Whilst they did have at least 5 local guides everywhere for 120 people (and VOX boxes to hear them), sometimes the guides had to walk quite quickly to keep to schedule, which is inconvenient if you want to take photos. The ship was lovely, modern decor and lots of Christmas decorations. We had a suite (the size of 2 cabins - one half has a sofa, table and chair), with opening french windows. There was twice a day turn-down service, plus daily programmes and rather dry USA Today newspaper summaries delivered. Tauck could not do more for you. From giving us $100 to spend in the nice shop onboard, to Christmas chocolates in our shoe on the last night, they were always finding new ways of giving us presents. Jeremy the Cruise Director and all the staff were fabulous too. There was great entertainment - especially the Santa Jazz Band who were really interactive and imaginative (more Elvis etc than jazz, which I was glad about). You do need to be sociable on a river cruise - there were very few tables for 2 at dinner. We were very pleased to make new friends and enjoyed meeting lots of new people (all living in the USA apart from us!?) over meals. I would absolutely travel with Tauck again - the itinerary is a bit prescribed and full, but you do see everything, and we did have free time to ourselves in every port. I think of all the inclusive river lines (and we had constant cocktails etc whenever we wished) Tauck is the best value.

I have now written a brief - and very positive - review of the Tauck MS Inspire, having returned from the Rhine Christmas Market cruise yesterday. Not yet published I think, but if you give it a few days and search for the MS Inspire in the Reviews section you should see it. Just to add, we only had to wear a small mask (not anything special or expensive) for the few minutes when we took the public funicular from the castle down in Heidelberg. Otherwise it was "COVID what COVID?" all the way. I am very impressed by Tauck, everyone on the ship could not do enough for us. They made gluhwein to order, and you could drink wall to wall cocktails. There was stunning entertainment on board, it was just a shame that the weather was consistently grey and rainy throughout. Am very happy to answer any questions.

Thank you! I shall report back re did we need masks on the Rhine after our return.

That looks lovely Second seating! We recently made sticky toffee pudding using cocoa instead of Ovaltine (same amounts). Was really dark chocolatey and great!

Thank you steamboats, nice photos - are taking masks, but don't intend to take any public transportation. Unless the cruise line go mad re our coaches for excursions?

What was the mask situation please steamboats? - leaving in a few days!

You can make pigs in blankets with sausages and bacon, I am sure that would be nicer than bought ones anyway.

We travelled on the River Main (another Christmas Market cruise) with Avalon some years ago, and had a really fun time. The other travellers were really lovely, and the tours were good too. Food was great (except the afternoon tea cakes - really dry, and not worth rushing back early for).

We will be going to Lucerne for the day with our cruise excursion. There are beautiful painted bridges, a lovely old town and Christmas market, and you can go up one of the local mountains on a rack railway etc. There are also small museums and a beautiful lion monument.

In Basel we loved the red Rathaus, also the Cathedral. And the Tinguely museum of kinetic art. We also had a great day trip to Augusta Raurica roman town, but it was in the summer, not sure if it's open in winter.

I will put up a report on our return.

Thank you very much for the information on Dusseldorf notamermaid - this is very helpful. We will be flying in early in the morning, so should have all day before we need to board the cruise ship.

We are on the Rhine in just over 3 weeks - going south from Dusseldorf. I am taking waterproof walking boots and hope to buy some new gloves on a Christmas Market stall. So excited!

That is good news re Covid notamermaid. Not so good news re energy - we are already paying a surcharge at our cat's cattery for his stay soon!

Thank you. If you can upload a Christmas Market photo when they start that would be wonderful thank you!

But masks are not compulsory are they (except for public transport which we aren't aiming to use)?